The Player

John Appel, Netherlands, 2010DigiBeta, Colour/B&W, 85'

A film about gambling, winning and losing in the broadest sense of the words, based on the directors memories of his father. Childhood memories of innocent fun and games give way to depictions of ensuing high-risk ventures, life-threatening antics and inveterate gambling addiction.

Director's Biography

Photographer on more than 40 documentaries; Guest Lecturer at the Dutch Film Academy and Media Academy; Advisor at the Dutch Film Fund; Jury Member of IDFA 2000 and International Film festival Karlovy Vary 2005; Tutor Scenario Workshop IDFA 2001 & 2008; Lecturer at Masterclass IDFA 2001; Tutor of the 1st International Documentary Workshop at the Maurits Binger Institute 2005; Commissioning Editor for the Humanistic Broadcast; Mentor at the International Greenhouse Project for filmmakers in the Middle-East (since 2006); Tutor at workshops in a.o. Iceland, Turkey, Syria; Professional in Residence, Media and Culture Studies, University of Amsterdam 2009; Since 2000, a Partner in production company VOF Appel&Honigmann in cooperation with filmmaker HeddyHonigmann.